The future of engineering depends on creating opportunities for young people to discover what is possible long before they choose a college major. This summer, that vision came to life through the SHE in ECE (Soaring High-powered Excellence in Electrical and Computer Engineering) One-Day Summer Camp, an initiative designed to inspire female students in grades 7–12 to explore educational pathways and careers in electrical and computer engineering.
Hosted in collaboration with the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) and supported by multiple IEEE organizational units, the program welcomed more than 75 middle and high school students for a day of mentorship, discovery, and hands-on learning. The event was made possible through the efforts of 10 volunteers and 10 speakers; all committed to encouraging more young women to pursue careers in engineering and technology.
Connecting Students with Role Models
A defining feature of the camp was the opportunity for participants to meet women who are actively shaping the future of engineering.
Throughout the day, students engaged with female undergraduate and graduate students, faculty members, and industry professionals who shared their personal educational journeys, career experiences, and perspectives on emerging technologies in electron devices and electrical engineering. These conversations gave participants an authentic look at the many paths available within the profession while demonstrating that successful careers in engineering are both achievable and rewarding.
By interacting directly with mentors who have navigated similar academic and professional challenges, attendees gained valuable insights into college preparation, career development, and the rapidly evolving landscape of electrical and computer engineering.
Exploring Research Beyond the Classroom
Participants also experienced engineering firsthand through guided tours of NJIT’s advanced research laboratories. Students explored facilities focused on robotics, electronics, and communication networks, gaining an inside look at the technologies and research environments where future innovations are being developed. Faculty and staff introduced attendees to current research projects while also providing guidance on academic programs, coursework, and opportunities available within electrical and computer engineering.
For many students, the experience offered their first glimpse into a university research environment, helping bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world engineering.
Students also put engineering concepts into practice through interactive activities centered on electronic circuit boards. Working directly with physical hardware allowed participants to connect theoretical concepts with practical applications while developing problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. These hands-on experiences demonstrated that engineering is both creative and collaborative, giving students the confidence to experiment, ask questions, and learn through discovery.
Programs like these are especially impactful because they transform engineering from an abstract subject into something tangible that students can build, test, and experience for themselves.
A Community-Wide Collaboration
The success of the camp reflected the strength of partnerships across academia, industry, and IEEE. NJIT faculty and staff worked alongside industry volunteers to create an engaging program that showcased a broad range of perspectives and expertise. Featured contributors included: Durga Misra; Yusuf Ozkan; Marjorie Perry; Marybeth Boger; Lucie Thibeaud Tchouassi; Ratna Raj; Anisha Apte; Chitra Venkatraman; Garima Garg; Xuan Liu; and Elisa Kallioniemi.
The event also demonstrated the value of collaboration across IEEE organizational units. Partners included the IEEE North Jersey Section, the IEEE North Jersey Section Women in Engineering (WIE) Affinity Group, IEEE SIGHT, the IEEE Future Networks Community, and several joint technical chapters representing fields such as antennas, microwave theory, photonics, circuits, and electron devices.
By bringing together expertise from multiple technical communities, the organizers created a richer experience for participants while strengthening relationships across the local IEEE ecosystem.
Encouraging the Next Generation
As industries continue to seek multidisciplinary perspectives to solve increasingly complex technological challenges, programs like SHE in ECE play an important role in broadening participation in engineering.
By connecting students with creating meaningful hands-on learning experiences alongside mentors, the program helped participants envision themselves as future engineers and innovators.
To learn more about the event and see highlights from the day, visit the organizers’ LinkedIn recap:
